Petunia plant `Revolution Pinkvein`

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a decumbent type petunia plant having a long stem. The plant has abundant branching and a great profusion of blooms, and the whole bush remains in bloom for a long period of time. The flowers are single and small, are bi-color, and have vein pattern. The plant is highly resistant to rain, drought, heat and disease.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/234,618,filed Apr. 28, 1994 (now abandoned), which is a continuation applicationof Ser. No. 08/090,266, filed Jul. 13, 1993 (now abandoned).

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of petuniaplant obtained from crossing `Daddy Mix.` (♀) having pink color petals`Pink Daddy` and a wild type of petunia plant (♂) having white colorpetals, native to Brazil.

Petunia is a very popular plant and is used for flower bedding andpotting in the summer season. There are only a few varieties of thepetunia plant which do not have an upright growth habit and which have ahigh resistance to rain, heat, drought, and cold. The petunia which wefiled previously `Revolution` series (Revolution Purplepink (U.S. PlantPat. No. 6,915), Revolution Brilliantpink, (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,914),and Revolution Brilliantpink-mini (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,899) is adecumbent type plant having long stems, a lower plant height, abundantbranching, and a high resistance to heat, cold, and rain. However, thereare only a few varieties having bi-color of the flower. Accordingly,this invention was aimed at obtaining a new variety having a reddishpurple color petal and bi-color of flower, together with features ofsaid `Revolution` series.

The new variety of petunia plant according to this invention originatedfrom a crossing of `Pink Daddy`, a true-breeding seed-reproduced linehaving a pink color petal that was reproduced from the petunia F1 seed,`Daddy Mix,` from T & M Limited of England as the female parent and awild type of petunia plant native to Brazil as the pollen parent, inFebruary, 1989 at the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Institute forFundamental Research of Suntory Ltd., residing at 2913-1 Torihara,Hakushu-cho, Kitakoma-gun, Yamanashi-Ken, Japan. From this crossing 550seedlings were obtained in 1989, from which 3 seedlings were selected,propagated by cutting, and then grown as a trial by flower bedding andpotting from the spring of 1990. Only one of the 3 resulting plants wasselected. The botanical characteristics of the finally-selected plantwere then examined, using a similar variety, `RevolutionBrilliantpink-mini`, for comparison, from the spring of 1991. As aresult, it was concluded that this petunia plant is distinguishable fromany other variety, whose existence is known to us, and this new varietyof petunia plant was named `Revolution Pinkvein`.

In the following description, the color-coding is in accordance with theHorticultural Color Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London,England (R.H.S. Color Chart), and the Inter-Society Color Council-NationBuereau of Standards Color Name (I.S.C.C.-N.B.S. Color Name). A colorchart based on The Japan Color Standard for Horticultural Plant (J.H.S.Color Chart) is also added for reference.

The female parent used in the breeding of `Revolution Pinkvein` is atrue-breeding seed-reproduced line, `Pine Daddy`, having pink colorpetal that was reproduced from the Petunia F1 seed, `Daddy Mix`available from T&M Limited of England. This petunia plant is world widemarketed. The main botanical characteristics of this female parent areas follows.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Upright.

Plant height.--30-40 cm.

Spreading area of plant.--25-30 cm in diameter.

Blooming period.--April to September, the southern Kanto area, Japan.

Stem:

Thickness.--3.0--6.0 mm.

Anthocyanin pigmentation.--Absent.

Branching.--Abundant.

Pubescence.--Medium.

Length of internode.--2.0-3.0 cm before blooming; 2.0-4.0 cm duringblooming.

Leaf:

Leaf attaching angle.--Horizontal.

Shape.--Elliptic

Size (average).--5.0-6.5 cm in length; 2.5-3.5 cm in width.

Thickness.--0.4-0.5 mm.

Color.--Moderate olive green to moderate yellow green (R.H.S. 146A-137C,J.H.S. 3508-3712).

Pubescence.--Medium.

Flower: Opening obliquely upward.

Type.--Single.

Shape.--Funnel-shape, with corolla of five segments or fused petals.

Diameter.--10-12 cm.

Color.--Red purple (R.H.S. 73A-B) with dark reddish purple (R.H.S.79A-B) lines radiating from center portion.

Reproductive organs.--1 normal pistil having a stigma and 5 normalstamens.

Peduncle.--1.5-2.5 mm in thickness, and 2.5-3.0 mm in length.

Physiological and ecological characteristics: Moderate resistance torain, heat and disease, and moderate resistance to pests.

The pollen parent used in the breeding of `Revolution Pinkvein` is awild type of petunia native to Brazil having white color petal, theseeds of which were gathered at Gramado, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil andintroduced to Japan in October, 1983. This wild type of plant ispresently maintained at the aforementioned Plant BiotechnologyLaboratory, Suntory Ltd. The main botanical characteristics of this maleparent are as follows.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Decumbent.

Plant height.--20 cm.

Spreading area of plant.--100-150 cm in diameter.

Blooming period.--May to August in the southern Kanto area, Japan.

Stem:

Length from base.--50-80 cm.

Thickness.--Main stem 2.0-3.0 mm; lateral stem 1.5-2.5 mm.

Color.--Strong yellow green (R.H.S. 144B-144C, J.H.S. 3512-3513).

Branching.--Over-abundant.

Pubescence.--Dense.

Length of internode.--1.0-2.0 cm before blooming; 1.5-3.0 cm duringblooming.

Leaf:

Phyllotaxis.--Opposite both before and during blooming.

Shape.--Oval.

Size (average).--4.5-5.5 cm × 2.5-3.5 cm.

Thickness.--0.4-0.5 mm.

Color.--Grayish olive green (R.H.S. 137A-137B, J.H.S. 3716-3717).

Pubescence.--Few.

Flower: Opening obliquely upward.

Type.--Single.

Shape.--Funnel-shape, with corolla of five segments of fused petals.

Diameter.--4.0-5.0 cm.

Color.--In the unopened stage (bud), yellow green (R.H.S. 149C-149D,J.H.S. 3303-3304); when open, green white (R.H.S. 157D, J.H.S. 3102; atfull bloom, white (R.H.S. 155D, J.H.S. 2902).

Reproductive organs.--1 pistil and 5 stamens, both normal.

Peduncle.--0.9-1.2 mm in thickness, and 2.0-2.5 mm in length.

Physiological and ecological characteristics: High resistance todrought, relatively high resistance to heat, and moderate resistance todiseases and pests.

This new and distinct variety of petunia plant, `Revolution Pinkvien`,was asexually reproduced by cuttings at the aforementioned PlantBiotechnology Labaratory, Institute for Fundamental Research of SuntoryLtd., residing at 2913-1 Torihara, Hakushu-cho, Kitakoma-gun,Yamanashi-ken, Japan, and the homogeneity and stability thereof wereconfirmed.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new variety of petunia plant has a decumbent habit and long stems,and thus is very different from the similar varieties, `Falcon Rose`,having an semi-upright growth habit and `Revolution Brilliantpink-mini`.The plant has abundant branching and great profusion of blooms, and thewhole bush remains in bloom for a considerable period of time, longerthan the bloom period of `Falcon Rose`. The flowers are single, andsmaller than `Falcon Rose`, the petals have a bi-colored vein patternand the ground color is deep purplish pink, pattern color is darkreddish purple which is clearly distinguished from the `RevolutionBrilliantpink-mini`, single color of flower is strong reddish purple.The bottom throat inside portion of the corolla have a dark reddishpurple color. The plant is highly resistant to rain, drought, heat anddisease.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photograph giving a partial view of the new variety ofpetunia plant planted in a flower bed;

FIG. 2 is photograph of flowers of the new variety of petunia plant;

FIG. 3 is a photograph showing, in numerical order, a branch having anopen flower (3), a current shoot (4), a bud (5), a side view of theflower (6), a front view of the flower (7), a rear view of the flower(8), an interior view of the flower (9), and pistil and stamens (1), ofthe new variety of petunia plant; and

FIG. 4 is a photograph showing, in numerical order, a branch having anopen flower (1), a flower (2), a bud (3), and a current shoot (4) of asimilar variety `Revolution Brilliantpinkmini`, in comparison withcorresponding items (5-8) of the new variety of petunia plant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The botanical characteristics of the new and distinct variety of petuniaplant `Revolution Pinkvein` are as follows.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Decumbent. The stems hang down when potted in a hangingpot.

Plant height.--15-25 cm.

Spreading area of plant.--The stems extend to a length of 60-85 cm fromthe base, and thus the spreading area of the plant is 120-170 cm indiameter. When good soil conditions are present with adequate moisture,the new variety spreads by the rooting of the nodes of stems.

Growth.--Very vigorous with abundant branching, a great profusion ofblooms; the whole bush remaining in bloom for a considerable period oftime.

Blooming period.--Late March to the beginning of October, in all areasof Japan. The plant shape does not change throughout this period.

Stem: Extending to 60-80 cm.

Thickness.--3.0-4.0 mm.

Anthocyanin pigmentation.--Absent.

Pubescence.--Medium.

Branching.--Over-abundant (primary), abundant (secondary).

Length of internode.--2.0-4.0 cm.

Leaf:

Leaf attaching angle.--Horizontal.

Shape.--Oval.

Length.--4.0-5.0 cm.

Width.--2.0-3.5 cm.

Thickness.--0.4-0.6 cm.

Color.--Moderate olive green (R.H.S. 146A, J.H.S. 3508).

Pubescence.--Medium.

Flower: Opening obliquely upward.

Type.--Single.

Shape.--Funnel-shape, corolla of five segments or fused petals, with themidribs of the segments being conspicuously of a dark reddish purplecolor.

Diameter.--3.5-5.5 cm.

Color.--Petal is bi-color with vein pattern. The ground color is deeppurplish pink (R.H.S. 70C, J.H.S. 9213 and pattern color is strongreddish purple (R.H.S. 72A, J.H.S. 9209) -- dark reddish purple (R.H.S.79A, J.H.S. 9218). The bottom throat inside portion of the corolla is adark reddish purple color (R.H.S. 79A, J.H.C. 9213).

Reproductive organs.--1 normal pistil and 5 normal stamens (2 stamensare higher than pistil). The pistils and stamens are normal and typicalof the genus.

Peduncle.--2.0-2.5 mm in thick, and 0.2-0.3 cm in length.

Ploidy.--The new variety is belived to be diploid consistent with thediploid character of its parents.

Physiological and ecological characteristics: High resistance to cold,rain and heat. Also high resistance to disease. Moderate resistance topests.

The new variety of petunia plant is most suitable for flower bedding andpotting, particularly in hanging pots or planters, and further excellentfor ground cover.

The plant of this new variety `Revolutin Pinkvein` is presently plantedand maintained at the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Institute forFundamental Research of Suntory Ltd., residing at 2913-1 Torihara,Hakushu-cho, Kitakoma-gun, Yamanashi-ken, Japan.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of petunia plant, substantiallyas herein illustrated and described, characterized particularly as tonovelty by (A) being a decumbent habit plant having long stems, (B) andabundant branching and a great profusion of blooms, the whole bushremaining in bloom for a considerable period of time, (C) flowers thatare single and small, the petals are bi-color with vein pattern and theground color is deep purplish pink and pattern color is strong reddishpurple and bottom throat inside portion of a dark reddish purple color,and (D) a high resistance to rain, drought, heat and disease.